Introductions - newbie stuck in the 70s

Hi: Just found this forum as I was looking for tubular tires. I'm 53 and started with coaster brake one speeds and graduated to a slew of sturmey-archer 3 speeds. I hate to count the number of times I fell to the top bar when the rear hub failed to co-operate (ouch in a very high pitched voice!). They served my paper route well. In college I bought a used french 15 speed, very base but lighter than my friends Schwinns. It even had winged nuts to ease wheel removal! I bought my girlfriend (now wife) a gitane mixte 10 speed for our weekend rides. For my birthday in 1971 she sprung for the bike of my dreams- a Gitane tour de france. Reynolds 531, tubular tires (wolber juniors), mafac competition brakes, campy changers and hubs (a fluke as most had simplex and normandy)- wow what a bike! I used it for many years and miles and stuck it away when times got too busy. Jump forward many years and my 2 kids finally need real bikes. I buy my son a base bike (he doesn't take care of things he doesn't pay for- you know what I mean) but for my daughter and I, I get serious. I get a copy of the bike buyers annual and start scanning the local paper classifieds. Now when I see a bike for sale I know what it cost new and what components it has. I pick up a nice trek 5000 (i think) for my daughter and a Bianchi perrigrine for me. I'm in process of refurbishing my tour de france and my wifes gitane. Who else thinks index shifters are for sissies? I live in Ellicott City MD and am glad to be back in the saddle again. Bob Skillman

Welcome, Bob. Let us know how the renewed cycling goes with your wife and daughter. Just leaving the son at home would be a good idea - I've had 3 sons that were all exactly as you describe. It's amazing how they take care of the stuff they have now that they had to pay for!

hello there mowog. i'm also a newbie. to this site but not to cycling. i agree with you about the index shifting. in my opinion it all went downhill the second year grip shift came out. at least in the first year grip shift came with a friction mode. i only ride friction. for many reasons. companies keep reinventing the wheel to boost sales. what hype. i guess that would be another topic. i would enjoy debating about index vs. friction however. i'm guessing that you are getting close to finding those tubulars you seek. i say this because i saw wooden rims being offerd in a nashbar catalog only six or seven years ago. there are also other companies that sell nos stuff. i recall two but the names escape me. what about the track racers? i'm thinking that they might use tubulars. there is a classic section on this site and maybe one for track racing as well. e-bay? anyway take care. -tiroleaf, twin cities.

I have both, soon to add another friction shifter.
Since you're in Ellicot City check out Mt. Airey bikes, ask for
Larry (owner) has more vintage bikes, and stories than any
3 people I know. If you need vintage parts he is probably
the place to go. If its unusual he has it.

Marty